Day: July 23, 2025

Chinese President Xi Jinping called for stronger communications and further engagement with the European Union, that he said could add certainties to the world. Advertisement “China and Europe should enhance communication, strengthen mutual trust, and deepen cooperation, providing the world with more stability and certainty through a stable and healthy China-Europe relationship,” the Chinese leader told visiting European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa on Thursday. Xi described China and the European Union as “two big guys” in the world, adding that the two…

The United States has struck new trade deals with Indonesia and the Philippines, in a move analysts say could indirectly undercut China by reshaping regional supply chains and tapping rare earth reserves – even if Beijing is not explicitly targeted. Advertisement Still, some analysts warn that efforts to counter China may deliver less than intended results, as Chinese firms are already adapting by localising operations across Southeast Asia. “Having failed to secure direct wins against China on tariffs and export controls, [the US] has a stronger incentive to contain China…

Advertisement According to some estimates, the dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo will be the world’s biggest, producing up to 300 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity each year, three times the output of the Three Gorges Dam. State news agency Xinhua said over the weekend that its output would “primarily deliver electricity for external consumption” but would also meet local demand in Tibet. India is also worried about Beijing’s efforts to strengthen its influence in South Asia, and Chinese observers said the project could help increase its sway over countries such as…

The White House on Wednesday released proposals to restrict exports of American AI equipment and limit the spread of Chinese AI models as part of a sweeping plan to shape the rules governing the fast-moving technology. Advertisement The 28-page AI Action Plan marks US President Donald Trump’s administration’s first comprehensive strategy on the topic and comes as national security hawks have raised concerns that superior American chips may reach China – including through third countries – and advance its AI and military development. Under the plan, the US Commerce Department…

There has been much speculation as to which third parties might get involved if war broke out between China and the United States in the Taiwan Strait. In June, The Economist published an article on this very question. More recently, the Financial Times reported that the US had been putting pressure on Japan and Australia to clarify what role they would play in such a situation. Advertisement It appears that there would be few countries on China’s side. China’s only treaty ally is North Korea. A 1961 treaty obliges the…